Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday unveiled the national emblem -- made of "high-purity bronze" with a height of 6.5 metre and weighing 9,500 kilogram -- on the top of the New Parliament Building after a 'puja', actions that attracted strong reactions from a section of the Opposition.
The event marks the first major milestone ahead of the new building's scheduled opening for later this year with Parliament officials saying that they expect to hold this year's Winter Session in the new building. Modi had laid the foundation stone for the new building in December 2019.
However, the event found its critics in CPI(M) and AIMIM, which said the Prime Minister unveiling the national emblem and holding a 'puja', was "subverting" the Constitutional scheme of things.
The emblem has been cast at the top of the central foyer of the new Parliament building, and a supporting structure of steel weighing around 6,500 kg has been constructed to support it. The entire construction took over nine months, according to Central Public Works Department officials.
The concept sketch and process of casting of the national emblem has gone through eight different stages of preparation from clay modelling and computer graphics to bronze casting and polishing. Over 100 artisans and craftsmen from various parts of the country worked for over nine months to create the massive national emblem cast.
"This morning, I had the honour of unveiling the National Emblem cast on the roof of the new Parliament," tweeted Modi, who was joined by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh at the inauguration. He also attended a religious ceremony at the site.
Modi interacted with workers involved in the building's construction and told them that they should feel proud of their work as they made a very big contribution to the nation's pride, he said.
To a worker who expressed happiness at PM Modi's visit to the site and likened it to Lord Ram's arrival at Shabri's hut, a reference to epic Ramayana, Modi said in lighter vein, "Wah, wah, this is your hut!" He then added that every poor person of the country should also feel that this is his hut.
CPI(M) said in a statement, "The prime minister unveiling the national emblem on top of the new Parliament building is a clear violation of the Indian Constitution. The President summons the Parliament. The Prime Minister is the head of the Executive. The Legislature has its independent role to perform, amongst others, to legislate laws, keep the Executive accountable and answerable. This Constitutional separation of powers between the three wings is being subverted by the head of the Executive."
Objecting to the performance of a 'puja' at the event, it said, "National emblem's installation should not be linked to religious ceremonies. It is everyone’s emblem, not those who have some religious beliefs. Keep religion separate from national functions."
"Furthermore, the Prime Minister performed a puja on the occasion. The Constitution gives the right and protection to all Indians to practise and profess their faith. This is an inalienable right. At the same time, the Constitution of India clearly stipulates that the State does not profess or practise any faith or religion," the CPI(M) added.